Inspired by Mamdani’s win in New York, Northwest Michigan Democratic Socialists organize

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The Sun interviewed Jen Kruch and Taylor Moore, co-chairs of the Northwest Michigan Democratic Socialists of America chapter in mid-October—several weeks before Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election in New York City on Nov. 4. Mamdani’s swift rise to power has been a shot in the arm for Democratic Socialists nationwide, at a moment when many feel alienated by the two country’s two main political parties. We asked Kruch and Moore about: their inspiration for launching the local DSA group; their thoughts on the Democratic Party and on Mamdani’s win and what it means for the DSA nationwide; what particular issues or policy proposals they may champion locally, and what misconceptions exist about DSA.

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Government cuts SNAP benefits, local organizations step up to help

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County residents in need of food assistance flock each Monday afternoon to Leelanau Christian Neighbors, where the food pantry shelves are stocked with fresh vegetables, from onions to butternut squash, and canned goods that cover all the food groups. Some lined up early on Nov. 3, two days after the federal government froze funding for SNAP—more commonly known as food stamps—which approximately 42 million Americans rely on for food each month. The floodgates weren’t open yet. “Now this is the month they’ll get way behind,” LCN executive director Mary Stanton predicted. “I’m anticipating December and January will be tough—especially as utilities kick in. But we’ve had a great outpouring of the community anticipating that it will get bad.” At a perilous moment for working people, Leelanau Christian Neighbors are stepping up, along with other community organizations including Food Rescue and the Northwest Food Coalition, 5 Loaves 2 Fish, the Empire Area Food Pantry, Folded Leaf, Lively NeighborFood Market, Art’s Tavern and the Empire Area Community Center—all of which have pledged additional support.

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Leelanau League of Women Voters examines Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, at noon the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County will host a public forum: “Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare: What’s Ahead for Our Region?” at the Leelanau County Government Center off M-204, between Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay.

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Stuck in Glen Arbor, Jamaican workers worry about families after Hurricane Melissa ravages island

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Patricia Brown hasn’t heard from her 4-year-old daughter who lives with her grandmother on the southern coast of Jamaica, which Hurricane Melissa pummeled on Tuesday, Oct. 28, as a Category 5 hurricane. Telecommunications are spotty around the country in the aftermath of the storm—the strongest to strike the island in modern history. Brown has worked as a seasonal employee at The Homestead resort in Glen Arbor for the past 14 years. The Homestead employs 35 Jamaicans as housekeepers on a seasonal basis. Some have returned to the job in Glen Arbor for 20 years. They work hard, and play an indispensable role in Leelanau County’s tourism-based economy. We’ll update this story as we learn how the families are doing—and how the Leelanau County community can support them as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa.

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Drilling for clean energy

This future environmentalist playfully drills for renewable energy at the solar array on M-72 near Traverse City, as part of the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities’ sheep and solar open house on Oct. 4. The event allowed guests to discover one of the most exciting developments in solar energy: growing pasture and crops among solar panel installations. It helps farmers earn income at a time when this is much needed and also addresses the concern of solar replacing farmland.

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Celebrating songs of Leelanau: André Villoch’s “Cedar”

Our story series celebrating songs inspired by Leelanau County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes continues with André Villoch’s “Cedar.” “This song was written around 1996,” said Villoch. “I was in college at the time working summers as a dishwasher in the kitchen at a summer camp in Leelanau County. We had a cook’s assistant named Marcus who was quite adventurous—like a big brother who was great about encouraging us out of our comfort zones. A couple of us in the kitchen played guitar and without television or internet, we spent a lot of our evenings teaching each other songs outside our bunkhouse or down on the beach.

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Glen Arbor holds trick or treating Sunday, Oct. 26

The Sunday before Halloween, come out and enjoy family-friendly, daytime trick-or-treating in Glen Arbor on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 12–3 pm (or until the treats run out). Be festive, dress in costume and invite your friends, family and neighbors to trick-or-treat at participating businesses. This is open to the public and free to attend. The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce encourages you to “shop small and eat local,” too. SHOPtober runs the month of October.

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Northport Arts Association seeks mural designs

The Northport Arts Association invites artists and designers to submit original mural concepts for five tile installations, each to be prominently displayed in public buildings throughout the Village of Northport. Submissions must be received by October 30. Click here for more information.

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Northern Latitudes Distillery holds grand opening, Oct. 24

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The wait is over in Lake Leelanau. Northern Latitudes Distillery will hold its long-awaited grand opening at its new location on M-204, just east of the village of Lake Leelanau, on Friday, Oct. 24, from 12-7 pm. Northern Latitudes staff invite the public to “come raise a glass in our beautiful new space—built for friends, community, and great spirits.” “We’re elated. It’s so much fun to be able to finally share this place with everybody,” said co-owner Mandy Moseler. “We’ve been working so hard for so long.”

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Friends of Sleeping Bear step up during government shutdown, keep trails safe, port-a-johns at Dune Climb

Three weeks into the federal government shutdown, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore visitors center in Empire remains closed, as are museum spaces and interpretive programs. However, popular destinations such as the Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are open. Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a nonprofit partner of the Park, has raised approximately $2,500 in donations and used that to cover the cost of two porta-johns at the Dune Climb. Porta john rentals cost about $250 per month, said Friends’ executive director Laura Ann Johnson. With the National Lakeshore officially closed, and only rangers working to ensure visitor safety, the Friends have stepped up in other ways. Read more here.

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